Combination display device and mailing piece



Oct. 13, 1953 3 MlLLER 2,654,970

COMBINATION DISPLAY DEVICE AND MAILING PIECE Filed June 6, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 13, 1953 R s MlLLER 2,654,97Q

COMBINATION DISPLAY DEVICE AND MAILING PIECE Filed June 6, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I l Zeiefl 6471 271627 I 5:0 1 a 2 M Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES OFFICE COMBINATIONDISPLAY. DEVI'GE AND MAILING PIEGE Peter S; Miller, st. Laurent,,Qi1eliec, Canada, asisignor to H'.. B; Miller Limited; Montreal, Quebec, (Janarila, a corporation of Ganada Application-June s; 1950; SerialNo; 166,498 8 oiaims. (o1. 4t-'124--.1)

This invention relatesito. a combination display device and mailing piece.

More'particularly, the invention relates to a display device of this type-int which there is an expansive display piece which. is adapted to carry advertising and a: support for cooperating. with the display piece to both combine. with it for mailing and to mount i-tzindisplay position. A device of, this: general type is shown in U; S.- patent application Serial No.-. 47,08, filed August-x231, 1948, now Patent No. 2,555,986, of which the present application. isa continuation-in.- part. The present invention provides improved construction-v for devices along these lines.

In common: with thedisclosnre. of; the previous application; a: device according. to them.- vention. comprisesas' essential elements an elongated support and a flexible display sheet-supportable by the support. Inset-up condition; the di'splay sheet is connected toione end of the support-with the-sheet extending; fromzits con. nection away from the support and about the end of" the support then in: j uxtaposedrelationship toith'e" support along the length of the. latter.. Means extending about the other end of. the support connects the: opposite end ofsaid sheetito the other end. of said support. Preferaloly, the connection betweenthe support and the display sheet is-such that the displayl sheet i's bowedabout the support against the normal tendency of the sheet to straighten out and is held" in this; position by the mutual support of the respective parts. Inloneform of device, the midi-portionof the sheet is bowed inwardly and its! lower end outwardly ina reversing curvature to a position suggestive of a scroll:

According to one formoi the inventionv the support-is a mailingtube-r This tube has a pair of slots one close to each end. One endof the display sheet engages in: one of: the: slots and is then passed out and around therend'of the tube ahout parallel to the tube. The. other endof thedis'play sheet is either passed directly around the" tube and engages in the other slot, or alter'iiatively it is bowed" outwardlyto a connec tion with a base member; Thebase memberextends rearwardly underneath the tube and. then outwardly to engage" the slot:

In another form of device" according to the invention; the: support includes; a main panel and a pair of side panels hinged to the: main panel for extension; atv right: angles to: the panel to I fo m: a channel member; The; lower ends: of the si'de' -p'anels serve as feeta Thesheet-isconnectedfto the top of the main: panel and eXtends 2 upand about'the top of the support and down in the samelongitudinal. direction as the support and is then bowed outwardly and the lower end connected to a base member. The base rnember connectsthe main panel. of the support andithe display sheet and is hingedly connected to the display sheet', an'd the side panels engage I the base Inmber. 'Ihe device is flattened out by collapsing the side. panels and set up by extending these paneis. V,

Otlie'r forliis or the device willbe evident from thedesription; to follow.

l-laviiig thus. generally, assented, the nature or the invention, reference will be inadeit'o' the ac; companying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments. of it in further detail and in h--1 Figure 1-. is a perspective. view showing one formaof the device. according: to the invention in set up position.

- Figurez is aside-elevationof the device shown in: Figure 1. g A

Figure 3 is a horizontal. cross section on the line;33 of Figure. 2'.

Figure 1 isatop plariovlew showing the dis play device'-. with the parts in knocked-down re- Iationshlp, I p p figure. 5; is. a perspective view or an anemia tive construction to that or Figure 1.

Figure 6; isv aside elevation of the construction, shown-i in Figure. 5.

Figure 7 is alper's pectivl view of another forni of the invention.

Figure 3 is al perspective view of another form of the invention. i t

Figure 9 is alperspective'view'of another form of. the inventionin which thesupport is flatgand remains connected to the display sheet, in both set-up and knockededown conditions. 7

Figure 10 isa perspective view of another form of the invention in v'rhi'c'hthe support is, a collapsible tube ofrectangular cross section which in set-up position remains inltuhular form and acts-as, a support for the-display sheet and which in knocked-downposition is flattened out and folds. up with. thedisplayi p Figure l l is a View of thedevic'eof. figure 10 incollapsed position.

Figure 12 is a cross section from the device of. Figures I-Oand, 1 1-. in collapsed-positions along the line 12-42 of, Fig-ure- 1 '1. M g

Referring more particularly were drawings Figure; l shows one preferred form ofthe dis} play; devic e iny set -up position. The device' in cludes-v a tube 1-5 which serves as a support or pedestal when the device is in set-up position and as a container when the device is knocked down, as for mailing. In this form, the tube l5 is provided with transverse slots or notches I! and IQ for engaging the display element 20. The element 2E! is an elongated sheet of material adapted to be rolled and folded into the form shown and being of a size commensurate with the size of the tube to enable it to be assembled with the tube as shown. One end of the sheet 20 is preferably provided with a stiffening member 22 which, in the form indi cated, is a tin strip folded on itself and crimped to the edge of the sheet 20 as is often done to reinforce the edge of a calendar. The reinforcing strip 22 is engaged in the slot [1. The slot IT is of such a size that its edges are sufiiciently long to form opposed lips Ila and Nb adapted to engage wedgingly between them and retain the frame member 22.

The sheet 20 is draped over the top of the tube l5 and extends down in front of it as shown and is folded back upon itself over a fold line 25 to form a base portion 20a, is then folded at the line 26 to form an upstanding web 20b and then inwardly again along the line 21 to form a forwardly-extending flap 200. The edge of the flap 200 is provided with a stiffening member 28 which can be similar to the stiffening member 22. Alternatively to folding back the 20 sheet upon itself as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a separate piece can be connected to the sheet as for example by stapling adjacent to the front of the sheet at 25.

Set up in this manner the device includes the pedestal or support 15, a scroll 20, the front part of which can be provided with suitable advertising, a supporting base 20a, ,a, web 202) and connecting flap 200. The upper part of the sheet 28 is connected to the pedestal through the slot I1 and the reinforced edge 22, the lower or base 20a of the sheet is connected to the lower end of the tube l5 by means of the re inforced edge 28 and the slot [9. No extraneous fastening members are employed but the device is held together merely by interlocking the various parts which are held together by the interlock and the resilience of the material from which the device is made. The bowed position which the sheet assumes, is retained by the connection with the support against the normal tendency of the sheets to flatten out.

The device is dismantled merely by withdrawing the reinforcing members 22 and 28 from the slots l1 and i9, rolling the sheet 20 and stowing it in the tube l5 as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5 illustrates a slightly difierent form of device, according to the invention, in which the sheet 2:: is connected to the bottom of the pedestal in a different manner. At the edge of the base portion 20a the sheet 20 is folded back upon itself on the line 20d and then upwards to provide an upstanding flap 20a. The portion 20d is secured to the base as for example by staples 3B and the flap Zlle engages the base of the tube 15, the latter being resiliently held between the fiap 20c and the front of the sheet 20 as best shown in Figure 6. It is clear that the display device is provided with a minimum of parts which can all be rolled or folded to be stowed in one of the parts, namely the tube.

In Figure '7 there is shown an alternative form of device which is especially adapted for use with a display sheet in horizontal position. Similar numbers have been used to ind c t h various parts with the exception that they have been raised by one hundred. It will be noted that the form of the device is similar to that shown in Figure 2 with the exception that the display sheet instead of taking a reversing curvature and being folded back upon itself to form the base 20a continues to curve in the same direction to form the base l2 la which is merely a continuation of the front part of the sheet. As in the form of device shown in Figure 2, the edge of the base is provided with an upwardlyextending web I20!) and a forwardly-extending flange [200 which connects with a slot H9 in the tube member H5.

In Figure 8 there is shown a form of device similar to that of Figure 7 (corresponding numbers being used to indicate corresponding parts with the exception that they have been raised by one hundred over Figure '7). But instead of continuing curvature in the sheet 220 it is bent at an angle along the lines 22l so that the front display portion of the sheet is substantially flat and there are flat side portions 220a and 2201 at each end of the sheet. The device may also be provided with a front flap 223 adapted to extend forwardly as a diagonal border for decorative purposes.

A slightly different form of the device is shown in Figure 9. The basic concept of a display sheet which is rolled and bowed and held to a support is maintained, but in this instance instead of a tube there is employed for the support a strip 3l5, the end of the display sheet 320 being held to the end of the strip 3l5 as shown. In this particular structure staples are used to connect these parts. The other end of the strip engages a flap 320e on the base 320a being held against this flap by the resilience of the sheet 320 which, in attempting to regain its normal flat form, exerts a spring action against the strip 3|5. The device may be collapsed and flattened for mailing.

A similar form of device to that shown in Figure 9 is shown in Figure 10. In this case, instead of the strip 3I5 there is employed a collapsible rectangular tube having a rear face M5. The top of the face 4| 5 is connected, for example, adhesively, to a flap I on the end of the display sheet 420 and the lower end of the face 4| 5 is connected to a flap 420e extending from the base 420a. The tube is adapted in setup position to form a substantially rigid support or pedestal as shown in Figure 10. The tube is adapted to be collapsed into the position shown in Figures 11 and 12 for flattening the device out for mailing.

This device is dynamic in operation in the sense that when the collapsed device as shown in Figures 11 and 12 is received as a mailing piece, it is merely necessary to grasp the tube between the thumb and forefingers and to push forward the faces 5a and 5b connected by the face 50 to the position of Figure 10. The top of the face M50 engages the top of the display sheet forcing it forwardly in a draped position about the end of the tube.

The device can be made of various materials. Cardboard is preferred for the mailing tube and either flexible cardboard or heavy paper for the sheet. Plastic materials can also be employed.

I claim:

1. A display device, comprising, an elongated support, a flexible display sheet of normally fiat sheet material normally resilient to its flat form supportable by said support, the display sheet being connected to one end or the supportvwith the sheet extending fromzitsrcenneetion in a direction away from the support and then flexed back around Said one d i' he or so as tghe draped over'the end of the support and then extending in juxtaposed relationship to the support for a major portion of thelength ofgthe latter and then extending outwards from the supthe support being connected at the other end, to a connecting means having a flat base member and extending from the. display sheet in a rearward direction over the end ofthe support, the support including a means hinged to it for extension in a forward direction to bear against the display sheet and to retain it spaced apart from the support, said connecting means connecting the other end of the display sheet to the other end of the support to retain said other end of the sheet in such a manner that the sheet is bowed transversely to its length throughout a major portion of its length against the normal tendency of the sheet to flatten out.

2. A display device, according to claim 1, wherein the support is a rectangular tube having a rear wall connected to the sheet and base respectively, and side walls hinged to the rear wall and a 'front wall connecting the side walls, the side and front walls being adapted to lie flat and juxtaposed to the rear wall when the device is collapsed and to be extended outward to urge the display sheet into bowed position when the device is set up.

3. A display device, comprising an elongated support, a flexible display sheet of normally flat sheet material normally resilient to its flat form supportable by said support, one end of the display sheet being connected to one end of the support with the sheet extending from its connection in a direction away from the support and then being passed about the end of the support to present a rounded contour and then extending in juxtaposed relationship to the support for a major portion of the length of the latter, the support including a main panel adapted to run in substantially the same longitudinal direction as the display sheet, a pair of side panels hinged to the main panel for extension at right angles to the main panel to form with it a channel member, the lower ends of the side panels forming feet, means including a base member for connecting the main panel and the display sheet, said base member being hingedly connected to said main panel, said connecting means connecting the sheet to the support in such a manner that the sheet is bowed transversely to its length throughout a major portion of its length against the normal tendency of the sheet to flatten out.

4. A display device, comprising, an elongated support, a flexible display sheet of normally flat sheet material normally resilient to its flat form supportable by said support, said display sheet being connected to one end of the support with the sheet extending from its connection in a direction from said one end of the support and juxtaposed to the support for a major portion of the length of the latter, a substantially flat base member connected to the other end of the sheet and adapted when in set-up position to retain the other end of the sheet away from the other end of the support, said base member extending rearwardly at least to the other end of the sup port to a point of connection with said other end of the support, the support including means hinged for positioning flat with the sheet when collapsed and for extension into a position to 6 lioldxthe major portion, ofsthe isheetvoutwardly ma forward direction ,rrom theasaid one end of the-sheet whenopened up.

. 5AA. display device,comprising, an elongated support, a. flcxibledisplay sheet .of normally flat sheet. material .normallyrresilient to substantially tially flat base: member connected 'to saidv other rend: of: said zsheet andiextending in a rearward direction-beyond thes other end of said support,

said support including a first member permanently .connectedtoithe display sheet and base and extending laterally thereof, and a second member hinged to said first member for exten sion in a direction transverse to said first member, said second member retaining said display sheet away from said first member and said base member in set-up position.

6. A display device, comprising an enlongated support, a flexible display sheet supportable by said support, one end of the display sheet being connected to one end of the support with the sheet extending from its connection in a direction away from the support and then passed unfolded about the end of the support to present a rounded contour and then extending in justaposed relationship to the support including a main panel adapted to run in substantially the same longitudinal direction as the display sheet, at least one side panel hinged to the main panel for extension at right angles to the main panel, means including a base member for connecting the main panel and the display sheet, said base member being hingedly connected to said main panel, said connecting means connecting the sheet to the support in such a manner that the sheet is bowed transversely to its length throughout a major portion of its length against the normal tendency of the sheet to flatten out.

7. A display device, comprising in combination, a flat base having a front portion and a rear portion spaced therefrom, an elongated support having a first member hinged to said rear portion, a flexible display sheet having one end connected to the end of said support remote from said base member, said display sheet being of normally flat sheet material normally resilient to substantially flat form, the other end of said display sheet being connected to the front portion of said base member, said support having a second member hinged to said first member, said display sheet, base member and first and second members being adapted to lie in the same plane and to be juxtaposed to said flattened display sheet in a knocked-down position of the display device, said device adapted to be set up with said base member and said first member at an angle to one another with said second member substantially perpendicular to said first member and bearing against the display sheet, and said display sheet extending from the end of said support remote from the base member in a curve, in a reverse curve down the front of the support and outwardly flared towards the connection of the display sheet with the base.

8. A display device, comprising in combination, a flexible display sheet of normally flat sheet material normally resilient to substantially flat form, supporting means'adapted to hold said display sheet in knocked-down position in normally 7 flat condition and in set-up position in substantially the form of a scroll, said supporting means including a substantially fiat base having a front portion connected to one end of said scroll, a first member hingedly connected to a. rear end of said base remote from its junction with the display sheet and comiected at its other end with the end of the display sheet remote from the base, and a second member hinged to said first member to move from a position in the same plane as said first member to a position at an extreme angle from said first member whereby the base member is pushed at an extreme angle to said first member and said scroll sheet is caused to drape about said first and second 15 members.

PETER S. MILLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Scherotto Oct. 31, 1922 Johns Apr, 18, 1933 Schwartz Dec. 3, 1935 Durkin May 4, 1937 Paige May 15, 1945 Gustafson Oct. 7, 1947 Larkin Apr. 5, 1949 Miller June 5, 1951 

